This farm, Chrisholm (German for home farm of Christian Augspurger), was established in 1830 by Christian Augspurger (1782-1848), leader of the Amish Mennonite settlement in Butler County. The Amish selected this area because of rich, fertile farmland and proximity to the Great Miami River. Christian's son, Samuel, inherited the farm and lived there with his wife, Eliza Holly, and their seven children. The large, two-story farmhouse was built in 1874 after fire destroyed the original 1830 stone house. It typifies the stark simplicity and balanced building style of Amish Mennonite settlements in Ohio. The property also features a large bank barn with a stone foundation.
Samuel Augspurger (1825-1900) was an innovative entrepreneur responsible for Woodsdale's industrial growth. Among other things, he directed the construction of Woodsdale's first bridge over the Great Miami River, served as director of three turnpikes, and oversaw grist and saw mills. An incorporator of the paper company, he was also instrumental in establishing the Woodsdale school and post office.
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